Attorneys
Michael M. Skram
Managing Shareholder
Michael Skram, a Shareholder with the firm, focuses his practice in a variety of areas including products liability, motor vehicle/transportation, business, and construction law in Iowa and Minnesota State and Federal Courts. Michael is a qualified neutral and has been retained by colleagues to mediate various civil matters. He enjoys providing the highest professional and ethical representation in a wide range of disciplines. Michael has been recognized by his peers as a “Rising Star” in Minnesota Law & Politics and Minneapolis – St. Paul magazines.
A native Iowan, Michael received his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and later graduated with honors from William Mitchell College of Law. While pursuing his degree from William Mitchell, Michael worked as a Senior Claims Adjuster with National Car Rental Systems, Inc., adjusting a variety of auto, property, and no-fault claims. His technical and legal background allows Michael to establish a positive working relationship with his clients.
Michael has been with the firm since 2002, where he has successfully represented both Plaintiffs and Defendants in various types of litigation. He has trial and arbitration experience, and has also argued before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and Minnesota Supreme Court. Additionally, Michael enjoys being a frequent author and presenter on timely topics for clients and other attorneys. Michael has also served as a Director on the Board of the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association.
Away from the office, Michael enjoys as much family time as he can. Michael coaches multiple sports for his children and volunteers on the Armstrong Cooper Youth Basketball Association Board of Directors.
- William Mitchell College of Law, J.D. cum laude (2004)
- St. John's University (MN), B.A. (1997)
- Minnesota State Court (2004)
- Federal District Court, District of Minnesota (2004)
- Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals (2004)
- Iowa State Court (2010)
- US District Court, Northern District of Iowa (2015)
- US District Court, Southern District of Iowa (2020)
- Defense Research Institute
- Minneapolis-St. Paul Rising Star
- Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association, Former Board Member
- William Mitchell College of Law, student mentor
Author:
- Accept No Substitute: The Home Buyers Warranty Option in Minnesota. March 2006, Builders Club News, co-authored with Shamus P. O'Meara
- Deal or No Deal: The Reality of Insurance Settlements. 2008 MDLA Mid-Winter Seminar; co-author with Dale O. Thornsjo, Johnson & Condon, P.A. and Brian Sande, Bassford Remele, P.A.
Public Seminar Presenter:
- The Asbestos Ship Has Not Sailed, MDLA Trial Techniques Seminar, August 2016
- The Impact of Texting and Other Distracted Driving Factors, Minnesota CLE Motor Vehicle Deskbook Seminar, May 2016
- MN No-Fault 101: What You Really Need to Know; South Dakota Claims Association, Annual Meeting, 2013
- Work-Related Personal Injury Issues, Hennepin County Bar Assoc. Course Co-Chair, June 2013
- UM/UIM Coverage Update, Halfmoon Education Seminars, 2013
- Premises Liability: Plaintiff and Defense Perspectives, Hennepin County Bar Assoc. Course Co-Chair, March 2012
- Personal Injury Settlement Pitfalls and Potholes, Hennepin County Judicial Training, Course Co-Chair Sept. 2011
- Ethical Considerations in Minnesota No-Fault Arbitrations, Hennepin County Bar Assoc., Course Chair, June 2011
- Multi-Party Litigation, Hennepin County Bar Association, March 2011, Speaker/Course Co-Chair
- Social Host Liability, Hennepin County Bar Association, March 2010 CLE Speaker/Co-chair Alcohol and the Law: 2010 Update
- Social Host Ordinances: Do they Impact Liability Claims?, Twin Cities Claims Association, February 2010
- Subrogation Interests: Medicare - "I have to do WHAT to settle a case?", Hennepin County Bar Association, May 2009
- Medicare Reporting and Set-Aside Penalties and Procedures, Minnesota Claims Managers Meeting, November 2008
- Timely topics in Residential Construction Litigation, Twin Cities Claims Association, May 2008
- Collateral Source Offsets – Minnesota UM/UIM Tips, Hennepin County Bar Association, March 2008
- Successfully Defending Radio Frequency Facet Neurotomy Cases, 2007 Twin Cities Claims Association Winter Seminar, co-presenter with Mark Condon
- Schroeder v. Western Nat. Mut. Ins. Co., 865 N.W.2d 66 (Minn. 2015) (amicus)
- Latterell v. Progressive Northern Ins. Co. , et al., A09-1138; 2010 WL 696747 (Minn. Ct. App 3/2/2010); 801 N.W.2d 917 (Minn. 2011)